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Connecticut’s First Same-Sex Unions Proceed Civilly

Washington PostOctober 2, 2005Lidia Agramonte and Maria Gomez were the first in line at the Hartford City Hall Saturday morning, when Connecticut's civil union law took effect. Connecticut's legislature was the first to create a "civil union" status without a court order to do so, and now provides same-sex couples most of the state-level legal rights as different-sex married couples, though not marriage itself, with all its intangible meaning and importance, or federal and interstate protections and security. Despite the smiles and occasional tears, this was nothing like the hoopla when Vermont began civil unions in 2000, or the midnight ceremonies kicking off Massachusett's marriage celebrations last year. Randy Sharp, third in line with his partner says, "It's bittersweet because we're being treated as second-class citizens. It's not full marriage equality." [Link]